Underwater Music Festival to Rock the Florida Keys

Posted on June 30, 2014 by Gene Muchanski

UW-MusicFest-200FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2014

30th Annual Underwater Music Festival to Rock the Lower Keys’ Reef – July 12, 2014

LOOE KEY, Florida Keys —Divers and snorkelers can explore a portion of the continental United States’ only living coral barrier reef while rocking to a sub-sea concert during the 30th annual Lower Keys Underwater Music Festival.

Set for Saturday, July 12, the quirky song fest takes place at Looe Key Reef, an area of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary approximately 6 miles south of Big Pine Key. For the past three decades, the event has drawn several hundred divers and snorkelers each year to immerse themselves in the colorful marine environment.

Themed “Diving with the Stars,”the marine musical event is set for 10 a.m.to 2 p.m. and staged by Keys radio station US 1 Radio 104.1 FM. The music is broadcast underwater via Lubell Laboratory speakers suspended beneath boats positioned above the reef.

The concert’s play list typically ranges from humpback whale recordings to ocean-themed songs such as Jimmy Buffett’s “Fins,” Donovan’s “Atlantis” and the Beatles ’“Octopus’s Garden.”

13UWMusic2-200

Photo by Bob Care of the Florida Keys News Bureau

Participants might even spot whimsically costumed divers or “mermaids” tooting their own horns on the ocean floor— pretending to play underwater musical instruments like a trom-bone fish and clambourine sculpted by Florida Keys artist August Powers. They can also glimpse Powers’ new “Belushi Blue,” a guitar-like fish sporting a hat and shades.

Art and ocean lovers can meet Powers and view his creations, all combining elements of marine life and traditional instruments, during a pre-festival party set for 6-8 p.m. Friday, July 11. The event takes place at Artists in Paradise Gallery in Big Pine Key’s Key Deer Shopping Plaza, just off the Overseas Highway at mile marker 30. Cost is $10 per person if reserved by Wednesday, July 9, or $15 per person at the door.

Divers and snorkelers interested in participating in the Underwater Music Festival can reserve space on boats run by Lower Keys dive operators or launch their own boats from public ramps and marinas in the area.

As well as offering unique enjoyment for dive enthusiasts, the festival carries a serious message of reef preservation. The broadcast incorporates diver awareness announcements emphasizing ways to enjoy the reef while minimizing impacts on the underwater environment.

Event information: www.lowerkeyschamber.com

Lower Keys visitor information: www.fla-keys.com/lowerkeys or 305-872-2411

Social: facebook.com/floridakeysandkeywest • twitter.com/thefloridakeys • youtube.com/FloridaKeysTV

 ###

Posted in Events & Activities, Press Release | Leave a comment

SeaLife Cameras Introduces New Sea Dragon Underwater Digital Flash

Posted on June 27, 2014 by Gene Muchanski

SL735-DC1400-200FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Joshua Gilmour
856-866-9191 ext. 135
jgilmour@pioneer-research.com

SeaLife® introduces new Sea Dragon™ Underwater Digital Flash

Moorestown, NJ – SeaLife® Underwater Cameras introduces the new powerful and more compact Sea Dragon digital underwater flash for use with all SeaLife camera models as well as any camera that has a built-in flash. The Sea Dragon Flash is part of SeaLife’s new Sea Dragon lighting system with Flex-Connect™ grips, arms, and trays that allow assembly and disassembly in seconds. The flash, as part of a complete lighting system including camera, batteries and charger, fits in the smallest and lightest camera gear case ever seen in underwater photography, making travel incredibly easy.

The Sea Dragon Flash is powered by 4 AA batteries that allow 150 flashes.

The flash can be hand held with its Flex-Connect grip or mounted to one or more extendable flexible arms and trays that attach to the standard ¼-20 tripod mount of any SeaLife or other camera.   A Dual Tray holds two flashes or a flash and light combination, and a third light can be mounted to the cold-shoe of the SeaLife DC1400 camera and most other cameras in underwater housings.

Not only the flash, but also its battery compartment, is permanently waterproof rated to 200 feet/60 meter – so in the event of improper closure of the compartment, the light unit and electronics are not compromised.

The increased power allows a wide 80 degree beam angle or an even wider 100 degree beam angle with the included diffuser.

The rugged flexible arms, trays, and grips do not use nuts or bolts, but easily click together and can also be quickly taken apart with the push of a button. This means that a complete system of a camera, flash, two lights, tray with dual arms and grips, batteries and charger fit in a compact lightweight case which can easily be packed in carry-on luggage – a great advantage with today’s airline baggage policies.

In close-up macro photography, the flexible arms allow bending of the lights or flash 100 degrees and within inches of the subject for creative light effects. Alternatively, the Flex Arms allow spreading the lights far away from the camera to avoid backscatter in low visibility waters.

The new Sea Dragon Flash also supplies ample power in a more compact body and fits into the cold shoe of any camera housing or clicks to arms and grips of the Flex-Connect system. Adjusting the flash to just the right brightness can easily be done with the large controls or the flash can simply be set to Auto Mode. The auto-sync feature reads and memorizes the pre-flash of any camera. The 2014 version of the SeaLife DC1400 features an easy-setup mode for the Sea Dragon flash or lights in any combination. The lights can even turn off automatically while the flash fires if desired.

The new ultra-compact system will not only appeal to the advanced pro, but also to the beginner, who in the past has been often intimidated by bulky, complex systems. Whether the flash is mounted on top of the camera or on its side, handling and control is made easier than ever before.

The Sea Dragon Flash is available at dive and photo dealers at a list price of $399.95 (Item # SL963).

About SeaLife Cameras:

SeaLife Underwater Cameras are made by Pioneer Research in Moorestown, NJ and were first introduced in 1993. In 2000 SeaLife made the first digital underwater camera. In 2007 SeaLife developed the first non-housed digital underwater camera, and in 2013 SeaLife introduced the powerful Sea Dragon Lighting system and its innovative Flex-Connect tray, grip, arm and accessory system. SeaLife Cameras and Lighting Systems are sold and serviced in 64 countries around the world. For more information visit www.SeaLife-Cameras.com

Posted in Press Release, Products | Leave a comment

Last Month To Sign NAUI BOD Recall Petition

Posted on June 27, 2014 by Gene Muchanski

NAUI-Member-200

by Gene Muchanski NAUI 3821 L
Executive Director
Dive Industry Association, Inc.

A dedicated group of over 400 NAUI Instructors have come together to take back control of their Association by having a Board of Directors Recall Petition put on the ballot for the next NAUI Board of Directors Election.  The group has been successful in seating three duly elected Board Members that were elected last year and unseating three Board Members who’s terms had expired.  The group petitioned and won the right to validated the results of the last election after six Board Members voted to invalidate the election in a 6 to 3 vote.  The new Board of Directors majority is working hard to ensure that NAUI’s good reputation is promoted to the entire diving industry in a professional manner.  They have proposed a number organizational changes that will help NAUI Worldwide regain some of its prominence in the diving industry.  The signers of the recall petition are holding past board members accountable for decisions that were made to invalidate the Members’ annual democratic election.  TIMING IS CRITICAL.  The group would like to complete the process by the end of June.

The petition stems from an attempt to invalidate the last NAUI Board of Directors Election.  Immediately following the attempt to invalidate the election by the Board, 144 NAUI Members petitioned HQ (see Blog

NAUI Members – Save NAUI: A Call for Integrity

 ) and attended the Annual Members Meeting in Tampa, Florida. Dissatisfaction was expressed until the BOD Election was validated and the three duly elected Board Members were seated on the NAUI Board.  Three Board Members who voted to invalidate the election were not reelected and their terms expired.  Attention has now focused on three remaining Board Members who voted to invalidate the election.  The Recall Petition is designed to put the recall notice on the ballot in the next election to remove them from office.

A group of NAUI Instructors have launched a web site N W Member Network,  for the benefit of all NAUI Instructors to freely communicate with each other.  So far, 383 NAUI Instructors subscribe to http://www.nwmNetwork.com  The group is looking to expand on its numbers to include every NAUI Instructor who wants to openly communicate with other NAUI Members.

All Voting NAUI Instructors are invited to subscribe to N W Member Network, sign up for this Blog, and sign the Recall Petition.  A united NAUI Membership makes the organization stronger and more competitive.

Posted in Industry, NAUI Matters, Training & Education | Leave a comment

Dive News Network Appoints Gene Muchanski Southeast Regional Correspondent

Posted on June 10, 2014 by Gene Muchanski

Gene-0314-200by Rick Stratton, President
Dive News Network

Gene Muchanski Joins Dive News Network as Southeast Dive News Regional Correspondent

Melbourne, FL, June 10, 2014 – Dive News Network, the parent company of Southeast Dive News, announced today that it has appointed Gene Muchanski as their Southeast Regional Correspondent.

Muchanski first became a Scuba Diver in 1967 and started working in the diving industry as a Scuba Diving Instructor in 1974.  Gene has combined his love of scuba diving, photography and writing to promote diving, watersports and adventure travel his entire life.  Gene was Ship’s Diver and Underwater Photographer on Nuclear Submarines while serving on Active duty in the U.S. Navy and has worked for major diving companies such as U.S. Divers, Oceanic, Action Plus and NAUI Worldwide. His career in the diving and business consulting industries span over 40 years.

As owner of his own Retail Dive Center, Muchanski realized how difficult it was to successfully market his Scubapro Franchise Dealership while keeping up with new marketing technology and working 80-100 hours per week.  Equipped with a Marketing Degree from the University of Connecticut and experience managing NAUI’s 250-store Pro Faculty Program, Gene went on to work as a Small Business Consultant at the University of Houston where he worked with hundreds of small business entrepreneurs to help them become more successful at starting, running and succeeding in their own businesses.

Gene Muchanski is currently the Executive Director of the Dive Industry Association and is on the Board of Directors of the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Dive Industry Foundation.  Gene has made it his life’s work to promote a scuba and watersports lifestyle, and to teach small business entrepreneurs how to do the same.

Dive News Network President and Chief Operating Officer, Rick Stratton stated, “Gene is not only a wonderful example of someone who embraces an active watersport lifestyle, he is also a smart and intuitive businessman.  We heartily welcome him as our regional pro!”

Gene Muchanski remarked on his new assignment stating, “I would like to thank Rick Stratton for this opportunity to promote watersports and watersport businesses in the Southeast for Dive News Network.  The Southeast Region of the United States is the Boating, Fishing, Diving, Surfing, Tourism, and Watersports Capital of the World and no other publication on the planet promotes local activity like Dive News Network.  I strongly feel this strategic partnership between us will be a great benefit to the local watersports businesses and watersports enthusiasts alike.  I will do everything I possibly can to promote watersports activities in the Southeast Region to the best of my ability.”

Gene enjoys scuba diving, boating, photography and adventure travel.  He lives in Melbourne, Florida and can be reached directly at gene@diveindustry.net for more information about Southeast Dive News and diving activity in the southeast.

 

 

Posted in Industry, Press Release | Leave a comment

Are Local Dive Shows Needed?

Posted on June 5, 2014 by Gene Muchanski
Patrick Hammer

Patrick Hammer

by Patrick Hammer, President
Scuba Emporium & Our World Underwater
June 3, 2014

Are Local Dive Shows Needed?

When I look back over the past 40 years that I have been in the dive industry, it amazes me how far we have come and then I wonder, what lies ahead?  Most of today’s divers don’t know that the first dive shows were local dive shows and that they were very small.  They basically were the divers’ off-season entertainment with a little education thrown in.  They were a way of divers getting together to talk about the past dive season, to plan for the next season and to see what new equipment was out there.

One might think, that after all these years and with the advent of the Internet that local dive shows have lost their value. They are expensive endeavors for all the parties involved.  Manufacturers and training agencies supporting the local shows have to budget well in advance to make a successful show.  The same is true for travel companies, publications and DIVE Centers. So how should we look at the local dive shows?

To put things in perspective one must first remember that almost all local dive shows support or are them selves supported by a not-for-profit. These non-profits do more than any one company can do to support the dive industry.  From New York to California, or for that matter even South America to Germany, England and elsewhere consumer dive shows are a big part of our industry and their benefits are far reaching. When you look at what the shows and non-profits have done alone for diving that is reason enough to support every show.  Just think how many children have been introduced to diving, how many careers have been kicked started by diving, and how many projects have been realized from grants from the shows and their not-for-profits.  Besides financial support local dive shows offer not-for-profits greater exposure than they could normally obtain on their own.

I original asked, “Were local dive shows needed?” The trend we are seeing with today’s dive stores is that the stores are not caring huge inventories. They are stocking only what they can turn quickly and as to other equipment or goods that a customer may want, well, they just order it when the customer asked for it.  With this new way of conducting business, the local dive show may be the ONLY way a manufacturer can display all their products.  As a retailer, I know that for weeks following a dive show people come in to see if we are stocking something they saw at the show. In many cases, we don’t have what they are looking for in stock, but we will of course order it for them.  This phenomenon is clear proof that local dive shows are a great avenue for the manufacturers to show off their products, gain exposure and increase their market share. This also works out well for the local dive stores who are dependents on the manufacturer’s support for their product lines.

What does the future hold and who should we focus on?   With nearly 250,000 Americans retiring every month, it should be known that SCUBA has become a dream come true for many of them.  Every dive show and dive store needs to focus on this group for the next few years. They have the time and money to dive but the dive industry as a whole most focus their attention on them otherwise they may be drawn to other outlets.  The importance of local dive shows can’t be under stressed here given that they generally spend more money in advertising dollars than all the dive stores combined in a given area.

If the dive shows can bring in just 10-percent of this group and make divers out of them, think what good that will do for the industry.  Training agencies will love the increase in certifications.  Equipment manufacturers will love the increase in sales.  However, the real winner here beside dive stores will be the travel destinations.  All consumers love going to the shows to plan their next travel holiday. It may be a trip to Bonne Terre Mines or the Caymans. It could be a liveaboard or the South Pacific.  It doesn’t matter which warm destination we are talking about, but this group of retired people or can we now call them potential customers are hot to dive and they are going to discover diving and all its beauty at a dive show.

Lastly what are the shows doing for the local diver? I have already touched on a few key points, but the dive shows get local divers motivated to dive and travel more. The shows offer educational and informative seminars, serious workshops and even film festivals that exalt our sport. From education, to equipment purchases, shows are a place for divers to communicate with other divers.

A few years ago I was at a show and someone mentioned that they keep seeing the same faces here.  It was not my place, but I wanted to tell them, that was great and that we as an industry should welcome these people returning year after year.  It demonstrated to me that dive shows work at keeping divers active in the sport. I always like to think of the Boston Sea a Rovers, one of the oldest dive shows, and what a great job they have done for all these years keeping hardy divers diving. I think that is something to be proud of.

Local dive shows are a needed and necessary part of our industry.   Without the support of all the players these shows cannot survive. To lose any show would be a step backwards.  Just look at the good that the shows do, and the support they give to every aspect of the industry

For fun, education, dive planning, equipment advice or just a great weekend be sure to support your local shows

Happy diving, see you at the next show!

 

 

Posted in Industry, Trade & Consumer Shows | 1 Comment

Divi Resorts Names New General Manager In Bonaire

Posted on June 3, 2014 by Gene Muchanski

Divi-Flam-200by Jackie Burton
for Dive Resorts
Chapel Hill, NC & Kralendijk, Bonaire
June 3, 2014

Divi Resorts Names Charles Vos New Manager of Divi Flamingo Beach in Bonaire 

Charles Vos is the new General Manager of Divi Flamingo Beach Resort& Casino in Bonaire, effective June 1.   An accomplished hotelier in The Netherlands, where he worked for 20 years, he relocated to Bonaire three years ago.  He came to Divi Resorts from The Sand Dollar Condominium Resort in Bonaire, where he was manager.

Prior to moving to Bonaire three years ago, Vos spent five years as the general manager of two WestCord Hotels in Amsterdam: Golden Tulip & Tulip Inn Amsterdam Art and WestCord Fashion Hotel Amsterdam. Earlier, he held a variety of positions at the five-star Golden Tulip Barbizon Palace Hotel, also in that city. Canadian by birth, he moved to The Netherlands at 16 to study at the Golden Tulip Business School and NH University.

Vos is vice president of the Bonaire Hotel and Tourism Association (BONHATA) and also a board member of STINAPA, the non-governmental, nonprofit foundation that manages Bonaire National Marine Park and Washington Slagbaai National Park.

“Charles’ depth of experience in hotel management, both on the Continent and in the Caribbean, is a terrific asset for Divi Resorts,” said Marco Galaverna, president and chief operating officer, Divi Resorts. “He is the perfect blend of skills, interests and personality for the Flamingo Beach property.  His enthusiasm for scuba diving and appreciation for the ecological riches of Bonaire make him a wonderful ambassador for Divi Resorts and Bonaire.”

About Divi Resorts

Divi Resorts is the vacation expert of the Caribbean with a collection of ten premium resorts on five stunning Caribbean islands. With vacation stays as well as full and fractional ownership, the resorts provide myriad vacation pleasures from relaxing on white sand beaches, indulging in spa services, embarking on scuba diving adventures to perfecting one’s golf swing.  For more information on Divi Resorts call 1.800.367.3484, or visit www.diviresorts.com.  The Divi Resorts logo is the Service Mark of Divi Hotels, Inc.; its use represents the group of resort companies owned by the registrant or operating under the registrant’s Divi Resorts brand.

 

Posted in Press Release, Travel Destinations | Leave a comment

AERIS Merges With Oceanic

Posted on May 27, 2014 by Gene Muchanski

AUP-200By Mike Hollis, CEO
American Underwater Products (AUP)
Tuesday, May 27th, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: AERIS Merges with Oceanic

American Underwater Products (AUP) announced today the merger of two of their recreational dive companies, AERIS & Oceanic. Each of these companies currently offer similar product lines to the diving industry worldwide. Effective September 1st, 2014, these lines will be combined and sold exclusively under the Oceanic brand.

The merger will allow American Underwater Products to focus its resources and major synergies, enabling Oceanic to grow its business and product offerings in its traditional markets, with continued growth in new market sectors and new export markets.

AUP realizes that AERIS has made significant technology and product contributions to the diving industry for the last sixteen years. Merging these technologies and products with those of Oceanic, the industry veteran, will certainly heighten the Oceanic product offering to its expanding worldwide customer base.

“The merger would provide a very positive experience for the combined customer base of the two companies,” said Mike Hollis, CEO of American Underwater Products. “It will deliver a broader product offering and greater levels of service and support to the worldwide diving industry.”

Effective September 1st, 2014, AERIS customer service responsibilities and warranties will be accepted by Oceanic.

________________________________________________________________

AUP’s worldwide headquarters is in San Leandro, California in a 120,000 square foot building that houses one of the most innovative and technologically advanced life-support equipment manufacturing facilities in the world. AUP’s team of engineers, product designers, and manufacturing experts is dedicated to the philosophy of excellence. One distinguishing attribute that separates AUP from other manufacturers is the commitment to vertical integration. The vast majority of our products are designed, developed, manufactured, and tested in our own facilities.

Posted in Industry, Press Release | Leave a comment

Blue Ocean Business Summit – Online June 2-6, 2014

Posted on May 27, 2014 by Gene Muchanski

BlueOcean_Logo-200by Laurie Wilson, Creator
Blue Ocean Business Summit

Is Your Dive Business Ready to Ride the Big Waves of Change in the Industry?

CHICAGO, IL – May 26, 2014 – There are some big waves gathering in the dive industry and they are coming to a head. Many dive business owners are wondering what the future holds for their business and how they can continue to make money with so many unknowns. But, for the first time ever, the Blue Ocean Business Summit is looking to help business owners ride these waves and join the movement of creating a sustainable dive industry.

Open to everyone, the Blue Ocean Business Summit is a free, one-of-a-kind event that will be hosted online from June 2, 2014 to June 6, 2014.  If you’re in the dive industry the only other question you need to ask yourself is, “do I love the ocean?”

The Blue Ocean Business Summit promises to inspire, inform and help business owners take action. The summit will be speaking with some of the dive and travel industry’s most brilliant pioneers and trailblazers who are already embracing the change and making advancements in game-changing ways. The goal is to help guide owners in having a thriving business in the years to come. By sharing insights, tools and strategies, the speakers help give direction, show the hidden opportunities, shift mindsets and focus on big ideas that work — benefiting individual businesses.

The Blue Ocean Business Summit is the brainchild of Laurie Wilson, founder of the Dive Travel Resource Group and Women Divers Hall of Fame inductee.  A speaker, author, seminar trainer and marketing consultant, Laurie is on a mission to help dive businesses ride the big changes ahead for our industry.

“I created the Blue Ocean Business Summit to give like-minded people in the industry a safe place to go and ask for help in creating the dive business they want,” says Laurie. “If owners care and want to get on board, the goal of the summit is to focus on sustainable marine tourism that protects our beautiful blue planet.”

More information on the summit is available by visiting BlueOceanBusinessSummit.com where you can register today.

About Blue Ocean Business Summit

The Blue Ocean Business Summit is a community created by Laurie Wilson to provide businesses in the dive industry a place to get inspired, informed and take action on issues surrounding sustainable tourism. The summit explores the many benefits of including our partner, the ocean, into every business model.  The first of its kind, the free online global event marks 2014 as its inaugural year. Blue Ocean Business Summit has offices in Chicago, IL and Ottawa, ON. BlueOceanBusinessSummit.com

General Information:                                                                                           Media contact. BlueOceanBusinessSummit.com                                                                        Shawna Doyle. BlueOceanBusinessSummit@gmail.com                                                         Shawna@SocialCatalyst.ca

Posted in Business Improvement, Press Release, Travel Destinations | Leave a comment

Diveheart Looking To Hire Training Director

Posted on May 27, 2014 by Gene Muchanski

diveheart-200Position Offered:  Training Director

The Training Director reports to the Executive Director and is responsible for coordinating logistics associated with all aspects of  Diveheart’s Adaptive Training Program, including:

  • Communicating with dive professionals, students and others inquiring about the Diveheart program.
  • Coordinating the systems related to processing certifications for all levels of students, from initial registration to c-card processing and follow up.
  • Working with the Training Committee regarding implementation and enforcement of Diveheart policies and procedures as well as the long-range strategy of the Diveheart training program.
  • Enforcing compliance with quality assurance policies and procedures
  • Working with Diveheart regional teams and the Diveheart main office.
  • Promoting active and broad participation by volunteers assisting in the training program.
  • Maintaining a working knowledge of recreational and adaptive scuba, including staying current on significant developments and trends in the field.
  • Representing the Diveheart Adaptive Training Program before scuba certification agencies, dive-related organizations and the general public.

Qualifications:

  • Experienced scuba instructor in active status and good standing with a recognized scuba training organization.
  • Preferred: Advanced instructor credentials.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Excel/PowerPoint/Word
  • Successful clearance of local and/or state background checks
  • Preferred: B.A. or B.S. college degree
  • Preferred: Adaptive Scuba Instructor with 50 logged Adaptive Dive Team dive

Skills, Experiences and Competencies:

  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Excellent client-facing skills, including training ability and experience
  • Strong attention to detail, superior organizational skills, client management skills, self-direction, and motivation
  • Demonstrated ability to be self-directed and take initiative.
  • Experience with Salesforce.com (a plus but not required)
  • Experience with Chalkboard (a plus but not required)

Contact:
Tinamarie Hernandez, Executive Director
tinamarie.hernandez@diveheart.org

Posted in Job Opportunities, Non-Profits | Leave a comment

SeaLife Cameras New DC1400 Sea Dragon Camera Sets

Posted on May 26, 2014 by Gene Muchanski

SL736-200FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joshua Gilmour
856-866-9191 ext. 135
jgilmour@pioneer-research.com

SeaLife®  New DC1400 Sea Dragon™ Camera Sets

Moorestown, NJ – SeaLife Underwater Cameras introduced three innovative camera and lighting sets with a new 2014 version of SeaLife’s advanced DC1400 Camera combined with new Sea Dragon underwater lighting at the annual DEMA (Diving Equipment Manufacturers Association) trade show.

Recent advances in LED light technology have made it possible for SeaLife to develop new versatile lights for use as photo, video and dive lights, with several times the power and half the size of past generations.  The Sea Dragon underwater lighting series also includes a new digital flash that features auto brightness, instant recycle time and powerful 20 guide number packaged into a sleek, compact body.

The 2014 version of the SeaLife DC1400 Camera features improved video low-light performance, a faster shutter response time in infinity focus mode, an improved optical focusing aid, and an updated easy-setup mode for any combination of the new Sea Dragon lights and flash. An outstanding feature of the 14 megapixel DC1400 camera is the easy underwater operation with “Piano Keys” instead of the traditional button cluster.

The new sets include the innovative Flex-Connect™ grips, arms, and trays that allow clicking the elements together and separating them in seconds, allowing the sets to be packed for travel in the smallest and lightest camera gear case ever seen in underwater photography. The Flex-Connect system of interchangeable parts allows many different combinations of camera and lights – from an ultra-compact single light or flash set-up to an advanced camera rig with dual strobes mounted to Flex Arm extensions.

Each set is complete and ready to use with batteries, chargers, camera, and lighting system in 3 popular configurations:

  • DC1400 Sea Dragon Pro – DC1400 camera with tray, Flex-Connect grip and Sea Dragon Digital Flash
  • DC1400 Sea Dragon Pro Duo – DC1400 camera with Dual Tray, two grips, Sea Dragon 2000 lumen photo/video/dive light and the Sea Dragon Digital Flash
  • DC1400 Sea Dragon Maxx Duo – DC1400 camera with Dual Tray, Sea Dragon 2000 lumen photo/video/dive light, Sea Dragon Digital Flash, two grips, two Flex Arms, a 16mm Fisheye Wide Angle Lens, battery chargers, spare batteries, a 16 GB SDHC memory card and many more useful accessories all neatly organized in a new compact waterproof shockproof travel case.

With a growing trend toward underwater video, SeaLife has not only improved its cameras for videos, but also developed new powerful video, photo, and dive lights. What appears as a colorless underwater rock literally “explodes” in bright colors when lit up by the new powerful Sea Dragon lights. This is a totally new experience of the magical underwater world for any diver, with or without a camera.

The light can be hand held with its Flex-Connect grip or mounted to one or more extendable flexible arms and trays that attach to the tripod mount of any SeaLife or other camera. A Dual Tray holds two lights, and a third light can be mounted on top of the camera’s cold-shoe creating a video or photo system with up to 6000 Lumens.

Not only the light, but also its battery compartment, is permanently waterproof rated to 200 feet/60 meters – so in the event of improper closure of the compartment, the light unit and electronics are not compromised.

The rugged flexible arms, trays, and grips do not use nuts or bolts, but easily click together and can also be quickly taken apart with the push of a button. This means that a complete system of a camera, flash, two lights, tray with dual arms and grips, batteries and charger fit in a compact lightweight case which can easily be packed in carry-on luggage – a great advantage with today’s airline baggage policies.

In close-up macro photography, the flexible arms allow bending of the lights or flash 100 degrees and within inches of the subject for creative light effects. Alternatively, the Flex Arms allow spreading the lights far away from the camera to avoid backscatter in low visibility waters.

The new Sea Dragon Flash also supplies ample power in a more compact body and fits into the cold shoe of any camera housing or clicks to arms and grips of the Flex-Connect system. Adjusting the flash to just the right brightness can easily be done with the large controls or the flash can simply be set to Auto Mode. The auto-sync feature reads and memorizes the pre-flash of any camera. The 2014 version of the SeaLife DC1400 features an easy-setup mode for the Sea Dragon flash or lights in any combination. The lights can even turn off automatically while the flash fires if desired.

The new ultra-compact system will not only appeal to the advanced pro, but also to the beginner, who in the past has been often intimidated by bulky, complex systems. Whether the flash is mounted on top of the camera or on its side, handling and control is made easier than ever before.

The new DC1400 Sea Dragon sets are available at dive and photo dealers at the following list prices:

DC1400 Sea Dragon Pro Set (item SL735) – $829.95

DC1400 Sea Dragon Pro Duo Set (item SL736) – $1,129.95

DC1400 Sea Dragon Maxx Duo Set (item SL737) – $1,829.95

About SeaLife Cameras:

SeaLife Underwater Cameras are made by Pioneer Research in Moorestown, NJ and were first introduced in 1993. In 2000 SeaLife made the first digital underwater camera. In 2007 SeaLife developed the first non-housed digital underwater camera, and in 2013 SeaLife introduced the powerful Sea Dragon Lighting system and its innovative Flex-Connect tray, grip, arm and accessory system. SeaLife Cameras and Lighting Systems are sold and serviced in 64 countries around the world. For more information visit www.SeaLife-Cameras.com.

 

 

Posted in Newsletter - The Dive Industry Professionals, Press Release, Products | Leave a comment